“Hello, gentlemen. Welcome to Sensual Chocolate.”

Trenton Rayner observed the woman who opened the door at the lovers resort. A medium, brown-skinned, African-American woman with short, black hair, tapered around the right side of her face and neck with long bangs that flirted with her left eyebrow and covered her ear. Around her neck was a chocolate-colored band that was about a quarter inch thick with a small gold key and heart that dangled from the tiny center loop. A petite-framed woman who couldn’t have been more than five-seven without the four-inch, lace-up, coffee boots that helped her meet his and his brother’s eye level.

She had amazing topaz-colored eyes, striking and only rivaled by the wide smile gracing her mouth. Trenton was instantly struck by her beauty. He didn’t know if it was the confidence that exuded from her as she stood before them; a self-assured woman was always a turn on to him. Possibly. Or it may also have had a lot to do with the body-hugging camel sweater dress she wore that stopped mid-thigh and gave seductive view of her impressive legs covered in tights.

“Hi, I’m Stiles Rayner and I have an appointment.” Stiles held his hand out.

If it was possible, the woman’s smile became wider, showing even, white teeth flashing between full shimmery golden lips. Trenton struggled to pull his gaze away from her mouth. Outside of other things he thought attractive about a woman, he found their mouths one of the most erotic. For a lot of reasons he shouldn’t be thinking about at the moment.

“Yes. I’ve been expecting you. I’m Jolie Tymber, the owner. Please, come in Mr. Rayner.” She stepped back, pulling the door wider and allowing them entrance.

Trenton stopped looking at the woman long enough to consider her home/business. The foyer was spacious and inviting decorated in warm colors of browns and mint green. Before them was a wide stair case leading to an upper level. There were two identical arches on their left and right. On his left, there were stairs that led down into a sitting room with plush furniture in ivory and gold with carpet appearing so thick it begged a person to remove their shoes and sink in. To the right, he noticed a more formal sitting area with antique cherry wood furniture and burgundy leather chairs arranged upon hardwood flooring similar to the parquet in the foyer.

“May I get you all something to drink?” Her voice drew him back to her. It was husky and rich, more the texture of a woman who that should have been on the other end of a sex line, not a couples’ resort owner. Then again, she was in the business of facilitating lovers’ trysts so maybe it was perfect. She made him want to get a room.

“I’m fine. Trenton?” His brother turned to him.

Trenton noticed Ms. Tymber’s gaze shift to him as well and he couldn’t help but feel as if the air had been sucked out of the room. His chest felt a little tight and it disturbed him that he was finding it difficult to breathe. Bugger me, what was that?

He was a healthy man who worked out often and rarely indulged in anything that would lead him down the same high blood pressure and ruined cholesterol of his father. So the feeling in his chest was unfamiliar to him.

The small gasp, a sound of shock that came out of the woman’s parted lips and her eyes darkened for a moment. The slight, odd response from her made him draw in a deep breath and release the bands around his heart.

Trenton cleared his throat, before he spoke. “I don’t need anything.”

He noticed Jolie’s smile wavered slightly as she glanced away from him and back to Stiles. “If you will follow me, I’ll tell you about Sensual Chocolate and the various packages.”

She led the way into the leather-bound room where she directed them toward the couch as she took a seat in one of the two single chairs on the other side of the coffee table. On the other side of the room, behind her, was a more business-like area with a desk and two chairs.

“I must say I’m already impressed to see what you have done with this place, Ms. Tymber.” Stiles unbuttoned his suit coat and sat on the side of the couch closest to her chair.

Instead of following her direction, Trenton claimed the other free chair that was in a ninety degree angle from her.

Trenton saw her glance at the empty cushion on the couch, then him, but remained silent as she looked back at Stiles. “Thank you, Mr. Rayner. My uncle and I are quite different in the business aspect.”

“Well, not in success. Your uncle may have leaned more toward the family vacation or fishing lodge establishment for those who desired to use it for its proximity to the lake, but this has paid off as well.”

His brother’s firm owned the lease to the property, even though one of Stiles’s execs handled the account. However, checking up on it wasn’t the reason they had come, or why his brother had dragged him along. The drive to the lake area was over an hour outside of the city and his brother had kindly asked him to come along for the company alone. Besides the fact Stiles never missed an opportunity to try and influence him into believing in romance and the happily-ever-after hogwash.

“This last year has been very profitable, I must say.” Jolie’s smile was confident again.

“I’ve heard. Thanks for giving us your time. I know you’re days are probably hectic with Valentine’s Day coming soon.”

“True.” Her face was alive with joy as she spoke. “It’s the only time we actual offer renting of the bungalows all week long, instead of only Friday through Sunday.”

Great, another romantic. But then, what did Trenton expect when the woman owned a business that was built around the concept of chocolate coating lovers.